Birdlife in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea is a birder’s delight and the birds are undoubtedly the most outstanding group of animals here, not only because of their beauty but also because of their great diversity and abundance. Most famous are the magnificently plumaged and colored Birds of Paradise which number 38 species, 36 of which are endemic, the other two being shared with tropical Australia.

These birds have highly specialized forms of courtship behavior and plumage display and the variety in plumage is certainly unique in avifauna. Because of its astounding variety of habitats, New Guinea supports over 700 species of birds.

The Baiyer River wildlife sanctuary, in the Western Highlands, is home to the largest population of Birds of Paradise in the world. There are many more remarkable and beautiful birds which rival the magnificence of the birds of paradise such as the bower birds, emperor wrens, egrets, a variety of pigeons including the Victoria crowned pigeon, kingfishers, lorikeets, parrots and cockatoos, larger birds such as the hornbill and the flightless cassowary.

The bird feathers are used in a variety of local celebrations or as even part of traditional wear. The Huli wigmen of the Tari highlands use sulphur-crested Cockatoo feathers, Musschenbroek Lory tail feathers, and the Bird of Paradise breast feathers in their wig. The feathers of certain species, especially those of the birds of paradise, are becoming harder to obtain as the birds retreat deeper into the forest away from human encroachment. The significance of the birds in the national and cultural life of Papua New Guinea is evident from the fact the national flag also carries an image of the Bird of Paradise.